The fact is, all us who truly have been saved, has the Holy Spirit within them.
2 Corinthians 1:21–22 (NKJV) Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, 22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
With the Spirit of God residing in us, we have access to the power of the universe. But why is it that we live such powerless lives?
in sense, we have flamed out. Paul reminds young Timothy to keep stoking the fire, do not let the fire go out.
2 Timothy 1:6 (NKJV) Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
Flameout- is a condition when a jet engine fails because the flame in- combustion chamber goes out. There are a number of factors that can cause flameout- lack of fuel, insufficient oxygen, or the presence of foreign matter in the chamber. Just like- jet engine can flameout, so can- zeal for God. Consider the three reasons for flameout:
1. Lack of fuel. If we do not fuel our relationship w/God through Bible reading and prayer, fasting and Christian fellowship, we will starve the fire of God in our hearts.
2. Insufficient Oxygen/No airflow. Oxygen represents- work/presence of- HS in our lives. Our relationship with God is not just intellectual, but it is an encounter with God Himself. We need the HS to help us understand God’s Word. God speaks to His people today He did 2000 years ago
3. Presence of foreign matter/ FOD (Foreign Object Damage). Like a Jet engine sucking up rocks from the pavement. There are many things we allow into-life/heart/mind- that distract us from our relationship with God. Even good things can become enemies of the best. Many of us allow things that are really discretionary to become necessary in our own hearts and minds.
If someone were to look at your day judging from the way you spend your time, what would they conclude is important to us? If we do not give our relationship w/God attention- flameout can occur. When a fighter jet experiences flameout, if it cannot restart its engine, it will ultimately crash and burn. Most fighters have a powerout glide angle of a home-sick brick. Too many Christians- crashed/burned in their faith. [1]
Often we want to run in our own power. Doing the work that we’re called to do for the lord is like being at a large airport terminal. How many of you have ever been to an airport and seen one of those “moving sidewalks? Those are incredibly useful in moving between terminals. Have you ever decided you didn’t want to get on those and walked on the outside? I did that one time. I’m walking along at a fairly good clip and I look to my left and here goes this lady just leisurely strolling along, leaving me in the dust. I tried to pick up the pace, but it was no use, she wasn’t even breathing heavy and I was puffing along not even close to keeping up. Now I always get on those things and walk at a brisk pace and it feels like you can fly.[2]
When a person gets aligned with God’s Will, identifies their Spiritual Gifts, then goes about serving in the way that God has empowered them, incredible things happen. Things start to pop. Ministry happens, people’s lives change. Others look at what they are doing and say, “How do they do everything they are doing?” Do you know how? Because the Holy Spirit is in control. He is moving them along, empowering them according to their gifts.
But what can happen is that a person can try to live according to their own power, trying to keep up and it won’t take long till they are exhausted. Instead of first aligning themselves with God’s Will, they have their own agenda to do it their way. Take the time to tap into the Spirit’s power if you want to be used to do incredible things. Look at what God has given us:
2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Spirit of fear? The root word for fear in the Geek in other places is translated coward. Other words are fainthearted, timidity, lacking courage. God did call us to be cowards. That same base word is found in Revelations.
Revelation 21:8 (NKJV) But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
The cowardly is counted with all the other unsaved. But the traits of the Spirit of God is Power, Love and Self Control.
Spirit Of Power: We have the Spirit of Power. The Greek word is "dynamis." This is the word we get the word dynamite from. Or to be a dynamo – full or energy and power. Look what happens when we are filled with power of the Spirit:
Acts 4:31 (NKJV) And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
Spirit Of Love: The Greek word here is "agape" -a divine love, a selfless love. Agape Love will cancel out any fear.
1 John 4:18 (NKJV) There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
Spirit of a sound mind: Other translation have self-discipline (NIV) or self-control (ESV). This is a unique word in the NT. The term translated “self-discipline” appears only here in the New Testament. However, related words appear frequently in the Paul’s Pastoral Epistles. The noun form of the word is translated “propriety,” and other places the adjective form is translated “self-controlled.” The words suggest the idea of a controlled response that is not seen as a mere natural endowment but as a fruit of the Holy Spirit. [3] You could say the Spirit gives us an uncommon, common sense. Having said all this, God didn’t give us a spirit of cowardness, but sends us out with the Spirit of power, in the Spirit of love, and with self-control, Paul continues and says:
2 Timothy 1:8 (NKJV) Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,
Being ashamed is like being a coward. Are we ashamed to boldly speak the name of Jesus in public? Are we ashamed to tell a lost friend or family member about Jesus? Paul was speaking about being ashamed in a day where preaching the Word of God was illegal and you could go to Jail. Today, because of publicly professing Jesus there are those in many areas of the world today going to jail, losing their livelihood, and their homes, being disowned by their family, and even being put to death for not renouncing Jesus. Look at what Jesus has said:
Matthew 10:32–33 (NKJV) “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.
We have been given the Spirit of Power, Love and Self-control, Will we not be ashamed of Jesus? It may cost you that promotion. It may cost you your friends, and perhaps even your family. What cost are you willing to pay?
"nor of me His prisoner" Paul was a prisoner of Rome. In fact this letter of 2 Timothy was the last thing Paul wrote before being put to death. To identify with a prisoner was also risky business in that day. But Paul asked for others to not only to stand with Him but "share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God." Share with in the sufferings. No one likes to suffer, but we may be called to do just that. But remember, we have been given the power to endure it.
1 Peter 4:12–14 (NKJV) Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.
Suffering for Christ should be counted as joy. Why?
2 Timothy 1:9 (NKJV) who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,
We have been saved from eternal torment, from eternal separation form God. No only have we been saved, but God called us with a holy calling. The NIV says we are called to a Holy Life. We have a high calling from the creator of the universe. If we got summoned by the President, we would have the resources of the United States Government at our disposal to answer that call. We have been given the Spirit of Power, love and self-control, to answer that holy call from God.
Philippians 3:14 (NKJV) I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
We have the means of answering this high calling. This call from God that we have is not because of who we are, it is all about who He is, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose. It is all about the will of God. If we are in the will of God,
we will have all the power, love and self-control needed to answer the call. And it is all because of His Grace; "grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began." God had a plan even before the world was formed, to save us and to call us. He has given us all this by His grace. We deserve to be condemned, but instead of condemning us, He saved us and called us. We have not been given a spirit of cowardness or fear, but a spirit of power, love, and self-control, to meet the call God gave us.
We have been given many gifts. Spiritual gifts, spiritual abilities, to do His will. He has also given us the means to use them. We are called to move out into this world with boldness, regardless of the our worldly cost, because of the heavenly treasures in store for us far outweigh what ever it is we could ever hope to gain in this this life.
What has God called you to do? Are You in His will? Are you operating in your power or His power?
For most of us, it is not a question of what to do. We for the most part, know what we ought to be doing. The question is, are we doing it.
This time of invitation is to consider what God has called you. To remember His suffering for you. What will you suffer for Him?
[1] https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/flameout-gary-stebbins-sermon-on-truth-145186?page=0
[2] https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/using-what-you-ve-got-tim-bond-sermon-on--68831?ref=SermonSerps
[3] Thomas D. Lea and Hayne P. Griffin, 1, 2 Timothy, Titus, vol. 34, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 189.
